Very nice! Looks like you have two softboxes very close to him at the sides angled down, a reflector below him -- but is that a small speedlight on the camera? I see a small catchlight that must be pointed directly at him.

Overall, I think it works really well. With the hoodie and the dark outfit, I'd like to see a darker background -- but regardless, this is sweet. Great job!

friscoron wrote:
Very nice! Looks like you have two softboxes very close to him at the sides angled down, a reflector below him -- but is that a small speedlight on the camera? I see a small catchlight that must be pointed directly at him.

Overall, I think it works really well. With the hoodie and the dark outfit, I'd like to see a darker background -- but regardless, this is sweet. Great job!

Yesterday there was a setup image with it.
As you mentioned it had two strip boxes on either side of the camera a softbox underneath and what looked like a ring flash.

All these props for this image and setup, I don't get it. Anyone can fill light until there is no shadow, if that is your goal. But for most portraits, that typically is not the goal. We use light to create depth and character, which is lost in this image. Sorry, please don't hate on me, just keeping it real.

Fjalke: I guess it's a matter of preference and style. Because my point is that typically, at least for myself and the photographers I hang with and/or appreciate, seek depth, character and less catch lights. But if a sharp image with several catch lights and a subject fully illuminated from all angles is your thing, then this is it. And I didn't say I could create it with 2 lights, I simply said anyone can fill light until there are no shadows. It might take me 3 or more lights to do it, but it's not difficult to achieve. So bringing in the argument of 2 lights is just odd, not sure where that is coming from. Ask me to produce something a little more difficult, such as well balanced shadows, depth and artistry.... and.... I still might fail, but at least it is something worth asking for. To each his own I guess, but my opinion on this image and setup is quite valid and there's no reason for attitudes or redirect. Have a great day and keep it real!

forreal wrote:
All these props for this image and setup, I don't get it. Anyone can fill light until there is no shadow, if that is your goal. But for most portraits, that typically is not the goal. We use light to create depth and character, which is lost in this image. Sorry, please don't hate on me, just keeping it real.

In some cases, forreal, we use light to create depth and character. And in other cases, we use light to fill every crevice so there is no shadow. And then there are some who don't use lights at all! Imagine that! The point is, we all have our different styles, or different way that we want to convey an image. We use light to illustrate whatever mood or setting we choose.

friscoron wrote:
In some cases, forreal, we use light to create depth and character. And in other cases, we use light to fill every crevice so there is no shadow. And then there are some who don't use lights at all! Imagine that! The point is, we all have our different styles, or different way that we want to convey an image. We use light to illustrate whatever mood or setting we choose.

Reading comprehension 101, I made room for that fact. Please reread reply without thinking I am insulting the OP, as that is not my intentions. Right here is a prime example as to why I rarely post, people are just too sensitive and it is too easy to misunderstand ones intent no matter how well you communicate.

forreal, never really thought you were insulting the OP. While you acknowledged that his goal might be to fill any potential shadow with light, you said that is typically not the goal. In that last part, I would infer you were talking about you and your friends, not Fjalke and his friends. I have a much higher level of reading comprehension than a freshman 101 course. Not sure where Fjalke's comment about two lights came from, but my point is simply that everyone uses light differently to achieve different results. We all have different styles, and we're not always going to agree with each other's decisions on how to use light. But if we all used light the same way, photography would get pretty boring in my humble opinion.